Not the headlines the event festival organizers were hoping for.
Belfast Tall Ships crew members attacked
Two Tall Ships crew members have been attacked in Ballycastle, County Antrim. It happened in the Ann Street area of the village on Monday evening shortly before midnight as the crew made their way back to the quayside.
One man was treated in hospital for a broken nose but has been able to rejoin his ship.
A man was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He has since been released, pending further inquiries.
Police have appealed for information.
Tens of thousands of visitors are expected in Belfast for the four-day Tall Ships festival which begins when the 40-strong fleet arrives on Thursday.
Belfast: Host Port of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge organised by Sail Training International

The Tall Ships arrive in Belfast for 4 days this coming August, and the port of Belfast will play host to a magnificent spectacle as the final port of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge.

Tall ships from across the world will unfurl their sails and set course for Belfast today as the historic fleet ends its transatlantic race in the north of Ireland.

Almost a century since the Titanic rolled down the slipway and sailed out of the city’s docks, Belfast will host another spectacular maritime event when the fleet of 40 vessels arrives on the quayside.

Nearly half a million people are expected to descend on the city for a glimpse of the huge wooden boats during the four-day Tall Ships festival.

Belfast is the last port of call on the vessels’ epic voyage across the Atlantic and back, which is staged every eight to 10 years.

They left Halifax, Nova Scotia, last month as part of a loop which began in Vigo in Spain and took in Tenerife, Bermuda, Charleston and Boston in the United States.

Belfast saw off competition from a number of other European cities to win the right to welcome the fleet after its final leg.

Chairman of Belfast’s Tall Ships board Dr Gerard O’Hare said the city was in for a real treat. “What people can look forward to is the biggest show in the country, the biggest event ever to be held in Ireland in maritime terms,” he said.

The last Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge race was nine years ago and the only other occasion the ships visited Belfast was in 1991.

Around a dozen of the ships completed the race across the Atlantic with the rest joining up with the fleet for the final port of call.

They will be open to the public to visit today and over the weekend before sailing out of the docks in a convoy parade on Sunday.

The festival, which the city council estimates will generate £10 million for the local economy, also consists of a range of free activities and entertainment, including fireworks, continental markets, funfairs and concerts, all based around the docks area.